Hammer-action for musical instruments.



S. M. KEYTE. HAMMER QOTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. APPLICATION FILED 001 a, 1912.

1,077,91 3. Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

Eluuemtoz 5011122 M fyfa COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.,wunmmu. D. t.

-rrnn srAtrEs ignnr -onrron.

SARAH M. KEY'TE, or OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

HAMMER-ACTION 370R MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

Application filed October 8,1912. Serial No. 724;61=7.

useful Improvements in Hammer-Actionsi for Musical Instruments, of which the fol-; lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements; in hammer actions for musical instruments: of that kind wherein chimes, gongs, triangles: and the like are used as sounding elements} The invention relates more particularly to an improved hammer action for striking the gong or other elements in order to .pro-. duce a tone.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an electrical control or-actua-ting device for the hammer action and pneumatic mechanism for operating the electrical device.

Other features and objects of the invention will be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawing, and will be more particularly pointed out in and by the appended claims.

In the drawing:Figure 1 is a view in end elevation, partly in section, of one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the hammer action portion of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the electrical device and the pneumatic mechanism for actuating the same.

Like parts are designated by similar characters throughout the different figures of the drawing.

As illustrated, the device of my invention is shown in connection with chime bars and one of the bars is indicated at 1.

The hammer action comprises a plurality of hammers 2 mounted upon stems 3 which are pivoted at 4 in bearings 5. Springs 6 serve to retract the hammers 2 immediately after engagement with the sounding element so as to avoid blurring or deadening the resonance of the sound produced. The hammers are provided with segments 7 which are shown connected with tension members, preferably in the form of straps 8, with segments 9. The segments 9 are rotatively mounted upon eccentrics 10, and the eccentrics 10 are rotatively mounted on a shaft 11. The shaft 11 is mounted in bearings 12 secured to a portion of the frame 13. Below the shaft 11 is a shaft 14 which is driven in any suitable manner by means of a pulley 1 5, in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 1 The shaft 14 is constantly driven at a speed depending upon the adjustment, and the requirements of the hammer action. A plu ality of segment actuating members, in the form of wheels 14, are mounted upon shaft 14:.

Each-eccentric is provided with arr-arm 16 haying an armature 17 adapted for coaction with magnets 18 when the latter are energized. The magnets 18 are connected with a circuit, in one conductor 19 of which is disposed a source of current 20. The wires 19 and 21 of the circuit are connected with contacts 22 and 23 between which is inter ,poseda suitable insulation which is arranged tokeep the contacts 22 and 23 normally in spaced relation wit-h respect to each other so as to maintain the circuit open.

The pneumatic mechanism may include rollers 25 and 26 carrying a perforated strip 27 which is moved abreast of the openings in a tracker 28. The tracker 28 is provided with a duct 29 connected wit-h a pipe 30 which latter opens to a bellows box 31 having a bellows 32 on the lower part thereof. The lower wall of the bellows 32 is provided with an extension 33 having a lug 34, hinged thereto at 35, in a manner to prevent movement of the lug downwardly but permit movement of the lug upwardly, with respect to the extension 33. Upward movement of the extension 33 will cause the lug 34: to engage the contact 23 and bring the same into engagement with contact 22 and close circuit.

When one of the perforations in the strip 27 reaches the bore 29 of the tracker 28, the bellows 32 will collapse and close circuit, in the manner just described, and the magnets 18 will be energized. This will result in attracting the armature 17 and moving the segment 9 into contact with one of the constantly rotating wheels 14'. This engage ment between the segments 9 and the wheels 14: will cause the former to move in a clockwise direction thereby tensioning the straps 8 and causing the segments 7 to move in a contraclockwise direction to bring the hammers 2 into engagement with the element 1. Preferably, the segments 9 are slightly spaced apart from the wheels 14: in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

While I have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention I do not Wish to be limited thereto except for such limitations as the claims may import.

1. A hammer action for musical instruments comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted striker, an eccentric provided With an armature, an actuator-segment connected with said striker and adapted to be actuated by said eccentric, a constantly rotating Wheel, an electrical device for actuating said armature to engage said actuator segment with the Wheel, and pneumatic mechanism for controlling said electrical device, substantially as described.

2. A hammer action for musical instruments comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted striker, an eccentric provided with an armature, an actuating segment connected With said striker and adapted to be actuated by said eccentric, a constantly rotating wheel, and an electrical device for actuating said armature to engage said actuating segment with said Wheel, substantially as described.

3. A hammer action for musical instruments comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted striker, an eccentric provided with an armature, an actuating segment rotatively mounted on said eccentric and connected With said striker, a constantly rotating Wheel, and electrical means for actuating said armature to engage said actuating segment with said Wheel, substantially as described.

A. A hammer action for musical instrument-s comprising in combination, a striker, an eccentric, an actuator segment rotatively mounted on said eccentric and connected With said striker, a constantly rotating Wheel, and means for turning said eccentric to engage said actuating segment with the Wheel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SARAH M. KEYTE.

Witnesses:

I. A. Knr'rn, W. A. WILLIAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 1). G. 

